Pela wakes to another brilliant morning, hearing Lone’s snores through the thin walls separating their individual rooms. Glancing at her bedside table, she sees her mother’s Trinity amulet, passed down to her by her Halfling father. Closing her eyes, she mutters, “May the Trinity shine upon me this day and keep safe those I care for. May the light of Mela of the Green, Jara of the Orange and Jenell of the Blue cover and protect my travelling family with their blessings.”

Feeling right by her morning ritual, she recalls her father muttering those same words every morning. Her elven mother was a follower of the Green after her exile from the elven homelands. She never spoke of this to Pela or Pela’s twin brother Peter, but they knew it was a taboo subject and to never bring it up.

Sweeping her legs out of bed, she spots her reflection in the polished bronze mirror: curly, honey-blonde hair, almond-shaped eyes filled with plain green irises, her ears pointed and longer than most half-breeds due to her Halfling blood. She eyes the freckles across her little button nose. Men find her beautiful, but her lost brother and mother were much prettier compared to her own homely appearance.

She picks up the amulet and places the cold metal against her skin, straightaway feeling its warmth and protection. Taking her nightdress off, she stands naked in her room, swearing she hears Lone stir at that exact moment. She looks upon Lone as she did her brother, even though his glances linger a bit on her, though becoming less so each day.

Splashing some water on her face, Pela washes her underarms and other bits to freshen up, as she bathed last night. Then she pulls on her work uniform, grabs her knife belt and walks out into the main room of the apartment.

The first thing Pela notices is the giant pile of dishes. Lone said he’d do them last night, but of course, the dishes are still piled up with empty bottles next to the sink.

Before she deals with the dishes, she blows on the embers and starts to add coals to the stove. Once heated, she pours some water into a pot, adds oats to make porridge and fries up two slabs of bacon. Then in the bacon fat, she fries some of the bread to make toast.

I should leave some for Lone, she thinks, if not he’ll end up having a liquid breakfast. Eating her food, she leaves a bowl with the bacon and bread on the other side of the table. Pela glances at the dishes, spotting recent additions— Lone’s dinner plates. She finishes her breakfast and walks over to the sink, sighing to herself. As helpful as Lone is, his drinking and selfishness are pushing her to the limits. She grabs an apron off the hook near the sink, so she doesn’t dirty her uniform. Turning on the tap, she fills the tub with water and proceeds to wash the dishes.

“Please, Trinity, make that boy aware of his utter oblivion.” Picking up a handful of cutlery, Pela drops it into the sink.

🔹️ 🔹️ 🔹️

Brightness catches Lone Solo in the eye, making him groan at the sudden discomfort of the shining light. Trying to ignore it, he rolls over and attempts to go back to sleep. Then the crash of plates clinking on plates, and cutlery being dumped into the sink, makes Lone realise that he forgot about the dishes again.

Sighing to himself, Lone pulls himself out of bed, regarding himself in the polished brass mirror. Should I wait for her to leave, so Mr Solo does not get lectured again today? But something is niggling at me. What am I doing today?

As always, his reflection only mirrors the question. Suddenly he holds his breath. “By Mela’s grace, I forgot about the meeting! What time is it?” Exhaling again, he splutters, “Time for me to face Pela and find out what I have done wrong, then head to the meeting.”

As Lone gazes at the bronzed mirror on the back of the door, he looks at his dishevelled appearance, from his greasy brown hair to the patches of bum fluff on his face. Need to have a shave and bath before I head off today, Lone notes.

Pela must have an early shift, Lone ponders to himself. I could have just waited. Come on Trinity, did you have to shine your light in my eyes? But I will see her later; better to deal with it now.

Coming out of his bedroom, he can smell breakfast has been served. On the table sits a large bowl of bacon, and porridge with a small loaf of honey bread. “Thanks for this, Pela.”

Pela is standing at the sink, doing last night’s dishes. “By the Trinity, I thought you would sleep all day!” He notes she’s wearing her work uniform for her job at the Hall, the symbol of the Trinity clearly displayed. “You are welcome for breakfast. I have work soon, but the dishes need to be done.”

“Pela, leave them to me. It is my turn.”

Glancing over to Lone, the light golden hair slips pass her shoulders. Her piercing, green eyes bore into Lone’s bloodshot eyes. “Lone, will you thank the Trinity for your meal? Even though you haven’t noticed that these dishes have been here for two days. Just because you have paid six months’ rent on this lease, doesn’t mean you can be a lazy sod.”

Lone regards Pela with his hand touching his chest, mouth open wide. “I am shocked that you think that of me, Pela!” She raises an eyebrow at him, and he looks away in shame. “Let me finish my breakfast, and then I will take care of those dishes.”

Pela’s voice lightens. “Will you be at the Hall later?”

Lone picks up his plate and moves to the sink with a sigh. “Yes, I will. The Rejects are having a meeting today.”

Grabbing her work pack, Pela tucks the Trinity holy symbol into her shirt and then turns towards the door. “See you later, then.” She stops and looks at Lone. “Will you be coming to tomorrow’s service?

This again, Lone groans to himself. He’s had enough lectures and solemn advice by holy men to last him a lifetime. That’s all the Brothers from the Orphanage ever droned on about, day in and day out. Lone believes in the Trinity, but not in wasting a morning for service.

“Not tomorrow. I have training today and tomorrow with Kilroy.”

Knowing it is just one more excuse, Pela leaves without another word. Her body shakes in anger like there’s a furnace inside, but she has no idea why—she’s used to Lone’s manner. Closing the door behind her, she breathes in and out to calm herself, knowing one day Lone will fully embrace the Trinity, especially the Green Aspect she worships like her parents before her. She knows she must have patience that the Trinity will show Lone the path, and how her own faith in the Trinity helps her stay calm.